Since the UN reconstruction mechanism agreement with Israel and Palestinian Authorities on 16 September, there has been an increase in cement and aggregate material bought in for the recovery and rehabilitation effort in the Gaza Strip. More than 250 trucks of reconstruction material has since been transported into The Gaza Strip by humanitarian organisations. For further information see graphs 6 and 7 below.

On the 19 September, a change in policy has prevented trucks previously allowed to enter the West Bank into Israel via light vehicle crossings. All trucks are now required to cross via Betunia crossing.

Total from 19 - 26 September

Trucks crossed into the Gaza Strip

8

Pallets delivered within the Gaza Strip

220

Number Organizations Supported

3

Transport Services

Transport Services

Since activation on 30 July, the Logistics Cluster has:

Facilitated the transportation of 7,675 pallets of humanitarian relief supplies via 288 trucks on behalf of humanitarian organisations for distribution within the Gaza Strip.

Facilitated the transportation of over 2100 out of a total of 7675 pallets with the Palestinian Authority for distribution within the Gaza Strip.

Common Storage

Five staging areas for cargo consolidation, palletisation and loading prior to transportation have been made available by the Logistics Cluster for use by the humanitarian community. The staging areas are located in Jerusalem, Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus and Ashqelon.

Three dedicated warehouses have been secured by the Logistics Cluster for use as common storage for the humanitarian community inside the Gaza Strip. The warehouses are located in Middle Area/Gaza City (800 m2 capacity), Khan Younis (600 m2 Capacity) and Rafah (450 m2 Capacity) where an additional refrigerated warehouse (40 m2 capacity) is available.

16 pallets of mixed food and tents are being stored before distribution in the Logistics Cluster warehouse in Gaza City since 15 September on behalf of the Women's Affairs Technical Committee.

Coordination/Information Management/GIS

Since activation on 30 July, the Logistics Cluster:

Eight weekly Logistics Cluster Coordination Meetings have been held with partners attending in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza City, all linked via video teleconference.

GIS mapping support, including publication of ConOps, Access Constraints maps and maps upon request for the humanitarian community.

Coordinated the movement with COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) of 288 trucks from the West Bank and Israel into the Gaza Strip.

Consolidation of information on crossing points and liaising with relevant authorities to ease bottlenecks and investigate possible solutions to delays.

Other Logistics Gaps or Bottlenecks

Due to the upcoming holidays, crossing points throughout the West Bank, Israel and The Gaza Strip will be subject to additional closures. For information on crossing opening hours, please see the following document on the Gaza Emergency Operations page on the Logistics Cluster website:http://www.logcluster.org/ops/gaza14a.

Due to limited capacity, opening hours and security equipment at Betunia crossing from the West Bank into Israel, a number of trucks continue to be redirected via Share Ephraim, a northern alternative to Betunia which is the most suitable crossing point for trucks loaded in Ramallah. During the reporting period (19 - 26 September), out of 5 trucks loaded in Ramallah, 2 were redirected to cross at Share Ephraim.

Due to pressure on Share Ephraim crossing on 22 September, 4 trucks loaded in Jenin and Tulkarem were delayed and failed to reach Kerem Shalom within the time required to cross into The Gaza Strip.

The Logistics Cluster is monitoring the situation at Betunia following change in policy preventing trucks previously allowed to enter West Bank into Israel via light vehicle crossings. All trucks are now required to cross via Betunia. In addition, reports have been received that trucks from Jordan into Israel via Allenby Bridge are required to cross via Betunia. These changes could add pressure onto the crossing which is already reaching maximum daily capacity.

A possible extension to Kerem Shalom opening hours continues to be investigated. This would allow trucks delayed at Betunia additional time to reach the crossing and avoid fees for arrival at Kerem Shalom after 13h30 to cross in the Gaza Strip.

Table: Logistics Cluster Betunia constraints report (19 - 26 Sept)

Number of Trucks loaded in Ramallah*

5

Number of trucks crossed from West Bank to Israel through Betunia

3

Number of Trucks loaded in Ramallah redirected through Share Ephraim

2

* Betunia is the most suitable crossing point for trucks loaded in Ramallah travelling from The West Bank to Israel. (Source: Logistics Cluster)

Fees per crossing:(Source: Logistics Cluster)

Crossing

Fee

Palestinian side

Israeli side

Kerem Shalom (since 2007)*

500 Nis

700 Nis

Betunia

n/a

87 Nis

*These fees are applicable to larger vehicles onlyNote: Allenby Crossing: +/-20Nis per pallet on entering the Israeli side (No additional fees are required at other crossings)